Bridgeville mother charged with endangering the welfare of children

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A Bridgeville woman, Christie Apitsch, 28, will be charged with two felony counts of endangering the welfare of children after her two children, ages 5 and 8, discovered she was missing from their 169 Union St. home early March 15, said Bridgeville police Chief Chad King.

The two children awoke to find their mother missing. They called their grandmother, who then notified police, King said.

When officers arrived, Aspitch’s roommate Shelby Casper, 21, was found asleep on the third floor.

When police were in the house, they were “overcome with the strong odor of marijuana,” King said.

A search was conducted during which police found a large bag of marijuana, a digital scale, a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun with the identification numbers scratched off, and more than $800 in cash. All of the items were in close proximity to the children, King said.

Casper was charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of children, King said.

Since Casper is on probation for a previous conviction, she was taken to the Allegheny County Jail.

King said the mother, Aspitsch, spent the night at her boyfriend’s residence in Carrick.

The children are with their grandmother and Children and Youth Services is investigating.